BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have been waiting on the official decision by Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio as to his future with the Browns.
Now, the Browns have it.
Bitonio announced his retirement from the Browns and the NFL on Tuesday morning in a release.
Bitonio is a seven-time Pro Bowl performer with the Browns, including two first team and three second team All Pro honors. Like his former teammate,Joe Thomas, Bitonio could be considered a Hall of Fame player, however, interior offensive linemen usually take longer to get elected.
Bitonio, who turns 35 in October, started in all of the 178 games that he has played, all with the Browns after being a second-round draft choice from Nevada in the 2014 NFL Draft (35th overall).
The Browns had four starters that opened the season in 2025 as free agents, including Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic and Bitonio. Cam Robinson, who joined the Browns in a trade took over at left tackle and played the remainder of the season after Dawand Jones was lost to injured reserve, is also a free agent.
Now, the offensive line has been completely overhauled without Bitonio.
The Browns agreed to terms on a three year contract with Chargers guard Zion Johnson worth $49.5 million, including $32.4 million fully guaranteed. The Browns also traded for offensive tackle Tytus Howard and signed center/guard Elgton Jenkins and re-signed guard Teven Jenkins.
The Browns also drafted left tackle Spencer Fano with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while also drafting two other offensive linemen in offensive tackle Austin Barber (third-round) and center Parker Brailsford (fifth-round). Barber was a left tackle at Florida and Brailsford a center at Alabama. Both players are in contention to be the fifth starter with Barber possibly being shifted to guard and Brailsford in contention at center.